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“Oh my gosh. I can’t drink this.”
“Why are you so worked up over this?”
She paused, not sure how much of her life she wanted to divulge, but wanting him to understand where she was coming from. “I didn’t grow up with much. And when I see someone who has so much buy ridiculously overpriced coffee, it just makes me sad.”
He looked at her but didn’t respond.
“You said before that you wanted to do something better with your money, that you wanted to help me. There are so many wonderful charities out there that feed and clothe those less fortunate than you. That’s where you should be putting your money.”
“Is that what you do?”
“Yes. A portion of all the money I make from my cosmetics goes to charities like that. I know what it feels like to go without, and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I’d kept all the money I’ve made these past few years and never given back.”
He was silent again, still staring at her.
“What?”
“That just surprises me.”
“Why? You thought I was a miser like you?”
“I wouldn’t have pegged someone like you as some big philanthropist.”
“Someone like me?”
“You’re one of those girls who’s into superficial things like makeup and looks and appearance.”
Her mouth fell open. “Do you even think about what you’re saying before you let these words spew from your mouth?”
“It’s not untrue.”
“It may seem superficial to you, but it goes way deeper than that. I care about my cosmetics because they make women feel beautiful. It gives them self-confidence and allows them to express themselves. Just because I put on makeup every day doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart. It doesn’t make me blind to the people who are less fortunate than I am.”
“I didn’t—”
“Maybe you should try helping others sometime. It might do you some good.”
“I’m helping you, aren’t I?”
“Not without getting something out of it for yourself.”
“It’s a step in the right direction, right?”
“Maybe take another.”
“You’re bossy.” He finished off his coffee and set the mug in the sink.
“Get used to it.”
He groaned as he walked out of the room, and she was glad he was gone so she didn’t have to take his teasing and insults anymore. And so she wouldn’t have to fight to keep her gaze from traveling down his broad, muscular chest.
THIRTEEN
Nearly a week had passed since they’d said “I do,” and for the most part, Gus had left Merritt alone. He continuously called her wifey and honey, but she found if she ignored him, he usually went away.
Merritt had been hard at work the past week, making a plan for how best to use the money. There was so much to be done, and she had lined up meetings with the appropriate people to discuss expansion. The work excited her. It always had. And now that she had the opportunity to get safe cosmetics to more people and to increase the amount given to charity, she looked forward to going to work even more.
When she arrived home after an exciting day at work, she was hit with a wonderful smell as soon as she walked inside. She dropped her bag next to the table by the door and followed the aroma into the kitchen.